Alex Iwobi has built a reputation as one of Nigeria’s most recognisable footballers, combining his technical ability on the pitch with an increasingly visible personality away from the game.
From his breakthrough at Arsenal to his subsequent spells at Everton and Fulham, the midfielder has enjoyed a career at the highest level of English football while remaining an important figure for the Super Eagles.
Away from football, Iwobi has also developed interests in music, fashion and business. His personal life, however, has generally remained private, with the midfielder rarely discussing his romantic relationships in public.
One name repeatedly associated with him is Ellie Mae, a British model and social media personality who has been described in media reports as his girlfriend.
Although the pair have kept their relationship largely out of the spotlight, interest in their connection has continued among Nigerian football supporters.
Who Is Alex Iwobi’s Girlfriend?
Ellie Mae is a UK-based model, social media influencer and event planner who has been linked to Alex Iwobi since reports about their relationship emerged in 2023.
She is also associated with ZOir, a digital marketing business reportedly co-owned by her.
Mae has built a social media following through fashion, lifestyle and personal-content posts. Her online presence has attracted attention from Nigerian football fans, particularly after reports identified her as the Fulham midfielder’s partner.
Despite the attention, she has maintained a relatively low profile when it comes to discussing her private life.
There is also an important qualification to the reports. Iwobi has not publicly confirmed that Mae is his partner. In February 2025, he spoke about having a girlfriend during an interview but said she preferred to remain anonymous.
Consequently, while Ellie Mae has been widely linked to the Nigerian international, the footballer’s own comments have left the identity of his partner unconfirmed.
Alex Iwobi and Ellie Mae’s reported relationship
Reports linking Iwobi and Mae first gained significant attention in October 2023. At the time, Nigerian media outlets reported that the pair had been together for more than two years, suggesting their relationship had begun during the midfielder’s spell at Everton.
The reports pointed to their social media connections and interactions, as well as Mae’s apparent links with members of Iwobi’s family. However, neither Iwobi nor Mae has publicly provided a detailed account of how they met or when their relationship began.
The pair have also avoided regularly appearing together in public or sharing extensive details about their private lives online.
That discretion has made their relationship a subject of curiosity among supporters, particularly given Iwobi’s growing profile in English football.
🇳🇬 Alex Iwobi has become Africa’s second-highest appearance maker in Premier League history… 🔴 Arsenal: 100 games, 11 goals 🔵 Everton: 123 games, 6 goals ⚪ Fulham: 106 games, 19 goals 🏟️ Total: 329 appearances Three clubs, one remarkable journey. #PremierLeague https://t.co/vlG0HXUJYg
— 𝐁𝐚𝐨𝐣𝐢𝐬_𝐌𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐚©️ ™️ (@ojobabatundeiso) November 1, 2026
In a 2025 interview, the midfielder offered a rare glimpse into his approach to relationships, explaining that dating a professional footballer can be challenging because of the travelling and demands of the career.
He described being in a relationship with him as a journey, acknowledging that his professional commitments can make maintaining a normal routine difficult.
Ellie Mae’s career and life away from football
Away from her reported connection with Iwobi, Mae has been described as a model, influencer and event planner. She has also been associated with the digital marketing company ZOir, which has been reported as a business venture she co-owns.
Her social media content has featured fashion, beauty, lifestyle and appearances with friends, giving followers a glimpse into her interests outside football.
Mae has also been linked socially to other partners of professional footballers, including Britney De Villiers, who has been associated with Nottingham Forest midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White.
Nevertheless, she has not built her public profile exclusively around football or her reported relationship with Iwobi. Details about her family background, education and personal ambitions remain limited in reliable public reporting.
From Arsenal academy to the Super Eagles
While interest in Iwobi’s romantic life continues, his football journey remains the defining part of his public story. Born in Lagos on 3 May 1996, Iwobi moved to England as a child and joined Arsenal’s youth academy in 2004.
He progressed through the club’s development system before making his senior debut in October 2015.
The midfielder quickly became a regular part of Arsenal’s first-team setup, featuring in the Premier League and European competitions. He also won the FA Cup with the club in 2017.
In August 2019, Iwobi moved to Everton in a transfer that marked a new chapter in his career.
After four seasons at Goodison Park, he joined Fulham in September 2023, returning to London and establishing himself as an important member of Marco Silva’s side.
His versatility, energy and ability to operate in several attacking and midfield positions have made him a valuable player for both club and country.
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Music, fashion and life beyond football
Iwobi is not a footballer who limits his interests to training sessions and matchdays. Music has become an increasingly important creative outlet, with the midfielder exploring his passion for rap under the name 17.
He has discussed his interest in recording music and performing, describing it as a way to express another side of his personality.
Fashion is another area in which he has developed a recognisable identity. Iwobi is known for experimenting with outfits and regularly sharing his style choices with followers.
He has also used his public profile to support charitable initiatives, including Project 17, which has helped raise awareness and funds for the African Caribbean Leukaemia Trust.
These interests have helped establish Iwobi as a footballer with ambitions beyond the pitch, while his professional career remains his main priority.
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Private relationship behind a public football career
Despite being one of Nigeria’s most recognisable international players, Iwobi has managed to keep much of his romantic life away from public attention.
Ellie Mae has been widely identified in media reports as his girlfriend, with the pair reportedly having been together since his Everton days.
However, Iwobi’s own comments about a partner who prefers anonymity mean that the identity of his girlfriend should not be treated as officially confirmed.
For now, the midfielder appears comfortable keeping that part of his life private while concentrating on football, music and his work away from the game.
As his career continues, interest in the people closest to him is unlikely to disappear. But Iwobi has made it clear that not every aspect of his life needs to be shared with the public.
